Australian Open 2022

I don't know why but I found it really hard to get into the Australian Open this year. Felt very meh about the whole thing. Usually it's one of my faves because it always looks like good craic and you get some brilliant matches! Maybe it was work commitments or Covid fatigue- just had minimal interest. The Djokovic mess didn't help either; left a bitter taste for me (both sides).

Heading to Wimbledon this summer so hoping that visit will fire things up again:)

Fair dues to Nadal, he looked out of it until half way through that third set when Medvedev failed to capitalise on three break points. Was tight and competitive throughout the whole match to the very end but Nadal looked shagged by the third set. So improbable and superhuman effort from him to win over 5 sets and 5+ hours. Sure, if he can do that - there's nothing wrong with him at all and he can carry on for several years to come.

I'm not sure if Medvedev really believed what happened and I'm not sure I do either.

Delighted for Rafa, just wish I'd taken the 9/1 on him a few weeks ago.

Yes. I was serious 2021 and he lost the FO. Won’t win this year’s either.

Very classy statement from Roger Federer

Aaaaand, the thread has quickly turned into the battle of the stats - he's the GOAT, no he is, no he is, NO HE IS......

Booooring! (to quote the rude little bollix Medvedev, live on world TV, while the tennis lady was saying compulsory nice things about him - he needs to learn a few basic manners, by the looks of things).

I only finished watching the match at 10.30pm, so have avoided all media all day to not have it spoiled - and I have to say it was a pure laugh reading through all the posts in one go, throughout the match - "ah, done deal here" "blow it up, ref, it's all over" "delighted to see him being thrashed".

Suffice to say, a lot of posts in here did NOT age well!!!

🤣🤣

(although I will admit to thinking after the first set that it could potentially be an easy cruise for Medvedev. That didn't last long)

My God, but is Nadal the Bionic Man, or what?? 5.5 hours of that - I can barely stay awake for 5.5 hours these days! And with 10 years on his opponent, AND 2 sets down - the level of self-belief (borderline self-delusion) to think he could come back and win - but he did!

Torturing, absolutely torturing Medvedev with drop shots over and over and over again - and poor Med trying to do it back, and failing miserably - I felt so sorry for him - it was like beating a puppy, and he comes back for more.

That was one amazing match! I'd dearly love to see the stats on distance run, and heart rate, for the pair of them. Must be absolutely phenomenal!

I was not particularly bothered before or during, who actually would win - if pushed, I'd have gone for Rafa, what with being a leftie, and near the end of his career, and metaphorically poking Djokovic in the eye by topping the Slams count - but after Medvedev's temper tantrum in the semi, and having a go at the ball kids, and the "booooring" and rolling his eyes during the speeches, I've decided I'm very glad indeed that Rafa did it.

Unfortunately the recording ended just before the trophy presentation, so I'll have to try and catch that on one of the highlights programmes.

We won our league match as well, in the wind and the rain - a great day of tennis all round!!!

I'd cut Medvedev a bit of slack immediately post match, he was pretty annoyed at the crowd, who were extremely poor throughout. He came out with some strange stuff at the start of his presser, but was gracious during the presentation.

given its the Australian ,and Nadal has pulled ahead in the ranking of all time ,spare a thought for Rod Laver ,11 majors while being unable to play in any major throughout his peak years because he turned pro.I suspect many feel in those 5 or 6 peak years he would have at least doubled his haul.

Fair enough re growing up, but if the crowd are acting like galoots - and these guys made a typical night time US open crowd look nuanced, I would be inclined to cut the affected player some slack. The only mistake Medvedev made in the final was not wining it. Ir clearly affected Collins in the women's final too.

The crowd have consistently been a disgrace for the whole of the tournament. The same with the crowd at the US final. I do hope the authorities make a better effort to stamp it out. It's not something I ever want to see in the game.

Couldn't believe how bad the Eurosport 'cube' effort was. Serious eurotrash vibe to it.

Not a huge fan of sue Barker and Andrew castle but Eurosport mob bottom rung of the ladder.

The only tennis studio analysis I would have listened to with any interest was sky when they had petchy and Peter Fleming. I like McEnroe too but only see him at Wimbledon.